All aboard for season 2007 for Parkmore Pirates. Back from left, Jessie Krznaricm, Kristina Cullimore, Christie Street. Front: Barb Schrei, Rozzi Hubeek. Like so many times before, Barb Schrei leans back and launches a drop-punt toward goal. Pictures: Stewart Chambers.By Glen Atwell
THE Parkmore Pirates first entered a team in the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) in 2004.
Playing finals is still only a dream after three seasons, but the happy-go-lucky Parkmore girls haven’t stopped smiling – or kicking goals.
In 2007, new coach Craig Wachter embarks on a mission to attract more women to the Pirates side and will work hard to push for a finals berth in the VWFL’s newly formed south-east division.
The Parkmore story is one of hard knocks and a testament to the club’s dedication to playing football.
Wachter said the side had always struggled to field a team of 18 week in, week out.
“There were times when the girls would play short, but that was the last resort,” he said.
“It wasn’t a surprise to have people basically pulled from the street on match day to slip on a Parkmore jumper and get out there.
“It just shows how dedicated the girls and the club as a whole is to playing football,” he said.
Facing another year of tough-love this season, the question no-one wants answered was finally asked.
Do the Pirates go on in 2007?
Wachter said the answer was an emphatic ‘yes’.
“No-one wanted to throw in the towel and give up, so I accepted the coaching position and we’re full steam ahead,” he said.
It is the first time Wachter has been involved with women’s football and said he faced a number of new challenges.
“It’s very different, there’s a lot of patience involved,” he said.
“A lot of the players are taking up competitive football for the first time.
“The games aren’t as intense as the men and there is more emphasis on having a laugh and a good time.”
The Parkmore Pirates have had a core group of about 10 players since entering the VWFL and desperately want to bolster the playing roster.
Previous experience is not required, but the ability to have a good time is a must-have.
The Parkmore Pirates train on Tuesday and Thursday and play on Sundays at Fred Wachter Reserve.
The ground is named after Craig Wachter’s grandfather, Fred Wachter, who was a Springvale City councillor between 1957-73 and mayor in 1967 and 1968.
Despite the ground’s name, no one in the Wachter family has had any involvement with Parkmore Football Club until the recent years.
“I was a Southern Football League umpire for a few years, but couldn’t keep up with training, so I started having a run with the Pirates during the week,” he said.
“Now I’m playing reserves and coaching the women’s team.”
Parkmore previously contested third division in the VWFL, but will compete in the south-east group after a league restructure in 2006.
The Pirates’ opposition will include South Mornington, Surrey Park, Yarra Valley and Eastern Lions.
The VWFL is the only women’s football competition in Victoria and currently consists of 29 teams, representing 22 clubs, with more than 1000 playing members and a total member base of 1500.
A voluntary board administers the VWFL, consisting of five executive members.
The League has developed significantly since the first football was first bounced 27 years ago and in 2007 the competition will have five playing divisions.
Since 2000 the league has grown by 314 per cent, a 23 per cent increase every year.
If the trend continues, by 2010 the competition will consist of 53 teams and by 2015, 147. But the Pirates’ focus is firmly fixed on this season and having fun is the number-one priority.
Wachter said when he took on the coaching job, he promised the girls they would enjoy their football this season.
“And that’s what’s going to happen,” he said.
“Win, lose or draw, we’ll have a ball.”
For further information phone Mike Smyth on 0414 368 414.
